Sebastian Coates | Defensemen

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Sunderland’s Sebastien Coates says it was an ‘easy’ decision to leave Liverpool and is looking forward to being the club’s number one center-back, despite strong competition…

Sebastien Coates was the first signing of the Dick Advocaat era, following the manager’s successful rescue mission last season. The Uruguayan says his decision to make his loan move permanent was an ‘easy’ one, after breaking into the team in the final month of the season and making the position his own. ‘The last month changed everything. Playing in the last six games was great’, he told local newspaper the Sunderland Echo. Based on pre-season Coates looks to be the number centre-back choice with John O’Shea, Younes Kaboul and Wes Brown (in that order) battling for the slot alongside him. Despite a poor season last time, Sunderland registered 13 clean sheets – only five teams had more – so Coates might appeal as a FL wildcard, at the right price. Aug 1 - 9:57 AM

Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat says he is looking to add at least three, possibly four more new faces before the start of the season…

It’s been a fairly busy summer at Sunderland already with two new faces added, but the manager insists there is more to come. Dick Advocaat quickly identified the defense as an area that required strengthening, making center-back Sebastian Coates’ loan move permanent and taking right-back Adam Matthews from Celtic. Another center-back is on the shopping list, with Belgian international Nicolas Lombaerts targeted. Then attention will turn to adding attacking options, with contact already made with wingers Jeremain Lens and Stewart Downing. Advocaat bemoaned the lack of chances created last season – only relegated Burnley scored fewer goals with strikers Steven Fletcher, Conor Wickham and Jermain Defoe contributing just 14 between them. Jul 9 - 7:02 AM

Sunderland have bid for their third new defender in a week, offering £5 million for Zenit St Petersburg centre-back Nicolas Lombaerts…

Another day, another defender. It is clear where manager Dick Advocaat thinks improvements are required at Sunderland ahead of the new season. After this week securing centre-back Sebastian Coates on a permanent deal from Liverpool, then signing right-back Adam Matthews from Celtic – the Sunderland manager is now looking to add 30-year-old centre-back Nicholas Lombaerts from Zenit St Petersburg. Advocaat knows the Belgian well from his time as the national team coach and Zenit, where he previously signed Lombaerts in 2007. The Russian club value the defender at £10 million and have so far resisted enquiries from Everton among others. Sunderland have tabled an opening bid of half that figure hoping that Advocaat’s previous associations will prove influential. Jul 3 - 4:46 AM

Sunderland have reportedly agreed a fee of £2 million for Celtic right-back Adam Matthews, just a day after signing central defender Sebastian Coates on a permanent deal…

Dick Advocaat is on the verge of making his second signing in a little over 24 hours, with Sunderland agreeing a fee for Celtic right-back Adam Matthews. It looked like the proposed transfer had fallen through after an initial £1.5 million bid was turned down earlier in the week. But Celtic’s signing of Manchester United right-back Saidy Janko and an improved offer – thought to be closer to £2 million – was enough to resurrect the deal. Welsh international Matthews made over 100 appearances for Celtic after being released by Cardiff in 2011. The 23-year-old will compete with Billy Jones for the slot alongside fellow new boy Sebastian Coates. Jul 2 - 4:21 PM